Antidepressants: How effective are they?

CBT Radio

This episode is primarily relevant to professionals.

In this episode, R. Trent Codd, III, Ed.S. interviews Irving Kirsch, PhD about his research on antidepressant effectiveness. In this episode they discuss:

• An overview of the current controversy pertaining to the effectiveness of antidepressants
• How antidepressants perform relative to placebo
• A summation of Dr. Kirsch’s research in the area
• Criticisms leveled at Dr. Kirsch’s conclusions as well as Dr. Kirsch’s responses to those criticisms
• Effective treatments for depression

IRVING KIRSCH, PHD BIOGRAPHY

Irving Kirsch is Associate Director of the Program in Placebo Studies at the Harvard Medical School, lecturer in medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Professor of Psychology at the University of Plymouth (UK), and Professor Emeritus at the University of Hull and the University of Connecticut. He has published 10 books and more than 200 scientific journal articles and book chapters on placebo effects, antidepressant medication, hypnosis, and suggestion. He originated the concept of response expectancy and his meta-analyses on the efficacy of antidepressants were covered extensively in the international media and influenced official guidelines for the treatment of depression in the United Kingdom. His book, The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth was shortlisted for the prestigious Mind Book of the Year award. It has been published in English, French, Japanese, and Polish and is currently being translated into Italian and Turkish.